The Semi-Finals (Part 2)
We hear more from the first six semi-finalists in New Zealand's premier singing competition. Introduced by Rodney Macann.
- Bianca Andrew
- Alexander Wilson
- Stephen Diaz
- Tavis Gravatt
- Bryony Williams
- Polly Ott
Hear the other six semi-finalists in Part 3, at 7pm on Thursday 12 July.
Bianca Andrew
Age: 22
Voice: Mezzo soprano
Resident: Eastbourne, Wellington
Hometown: Wellington
Bianca Andrew is a graduate of the New Zealand School of Music having completed a Bachelor of Music in 2010 and a Postgraduate Diploma of Music with Distinction in 2011. Bianca has a passion for French language, poetry and music – a passion which took her to Paris and London last year where she spent four weeks researching the mélodies of Francis Poulenc, her favourite composer. Bianca has won many awards for her singing including the Dame Malvina Major High Achievers Award twice and the Alliance Francaise Concours de la Chanson twice. Bianca has just been announced as a Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist for 2012 and recently performed in NBR New Zealand Opera’s productions of Hohepa and Rigoletto.
Alexander Wilson
Age: 21
Voice: Tenor
Resident: Dunedin
Hometown: Auckland
Alex Wilson is currently a fourth year student at the University of Otago where he is completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in geology and a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical performance voice under the direction of Judy Bellingham. Alex sang his first opera at age 14, as a chorus member in NBR New Zealand Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca. Last year, Alex won the Dunedin Musical Society prize and was presented with the Judges Choice Award at the Otago Daily Times Aria competition. Alex is a current Dunedin RSA choral scholar and the Convenor of the Otago University capping sextet, an historic a capella ensemble that has been active for over one hundred years. Alex plans to graduate at the end of the year and to move overseas to pursue his career.
Stephen Diaz
Age: 24
Voice: Countertenor
Resident: Auckland
Hometown: Johannesburg
Stephen Diaz is studying towards a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland where he also received the Marie D’Albini Singing Scholarship for 2009/2010. Stephen began singing in the choir at his family’s church in South Africa and when they moved to New Zealand in 2003 he joined the Auckland Youth Choir. On recommendation from one of the choir leaders Stephen began singing lessons with Janice Webb and Morag Atchison and went on to sing with the National Youth Choir and the Auckland Chamber Choir. Stephen has attended the NZ Opera School for three years and is a PWC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist for 2011/2012, which has seen him performing in a number of roles, most recently in Rigoletto.
Tavis Gravatt
Age: 25
Voice: Bass Baritone
Resident: Auckland
Hometown: Auckland born and raised
Tavis Gravatt has a Bachelor in Business from AUT University and a Licentiate in Performance Singing from Trinity Guildhall. Tavis began with the Opera Factory in 1999 and has performed in over 25 concerts during his time with them thus far. Tavis was the winner of the John Bond Most Promising Voice at the New Zealand Aria in 2010 where he was a finalist. In 2010 he also won the Becroft Grand Aria final and qualified for the quarter finals of the Sydney McDonalds Aria. Currently, Tavis juggles full time work as an Associate Product Manager alongside singing lessons with Barry Mora and regular casting in the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus.
Bryony Williams
Age: 22
Voice: Soprano
Resident: Currently Florence! Soon to be Manchester, UK
Hometown: New Plymouth, NZ
Bryony Williams studied at the New Zealand School of Music under the tutelage of Jenny Wollerman, completing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance Voice in 2010 and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Classical Performance Voice with Distinction in 2011. Alongside her study Bryony has performed in the chorus for two NBR New Zealand Opera productions and competed in the 2011 IFAC Australian Singing Competition held at the Sydney Opera House where she was a finalist. From this she was awarded a scholarship to attend the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester for 2012/2013 and a scholarship to study the Italian language in Florence, which she is currently undertaking.
Polly Ott
Age: 25
Voice: Soprano
Resident: Berlin
Hometown: Christchurch
Polly Ott holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours, majoring in Performance Voice which she gained from the University of Canterbury under the tuition of Dame Malvina Major. Polly was a finalist in the 2009 Lexus Song Quest and has been the recipient of numerous awards and achievements including: the Kiwi Music Scholarship for 2012, the NZ Opera School Scholarship in 2010, the Dame Malvina Major Foundation’s Arts Excellence awards in both 2008 and 2009 and the University of Canterbury’s Madrigal Singers prize in 2009. Polly is currently in her first year of a Masters of Arts in Opera at the University of Arts in Berlin.
Photographs by Matt Grace
